The Toyota GR Supra modifying begins!
'Performance Line Concept TRD' shown at Osaka as Toyota's effort; over to you, tuning companies...
Previewed by Toyota last week, the wraps have now come off its first effort at tinkering with the GR Supra. Never going to take long, was it? Snappily titled the 'Performance Line Concept TRD', the car is described by Toyota as "a high-performance car telling a new start." Or rather, that's what Google Translate has it down as.
With no changes to the powertrain, TRD's focus has been on the body and chassis. Carbon is used for the new spats, spoilers and skirts - all said to improve stability and downforce, and easily identifiable here against the grey paint. See also the new forged aluminium 19-inch wheels; given Toyota claims their fitment improves both steering response and stability, we'd wager that they've reduced the unsprung mass to some extent.
'Carbon door garnish' aside, we'd say it's a pretty successful overhaul, injecting some more attitude into the Supra shape without going entirely over the top - no doubt that will follow in time, either from Toyota or another source.
In fact, the bottom of Toyota's fascinating page on the Performance Line Concept TRD says 'To Be Continued', implying this is just the start as far as Supra modifying goes. Excellent news. What would you like to see next?
The door infill trim is an unseemly appendage, it's probably functional given that the vent in the door is fake as it goes nowhere and probably disrupts airflow, but it's not very attractive to my eye. Would be better if it were body colour I think.
The wheels are okay, I do like black wheels but not really a fan of the those with lots of spokes. The rear spoiler is okay but again I think body colour would make it look a bit more seemless. Quite like the splitters/skirts.
Why? Anyone who wants one is already gagging to get their hands on one, and adding a few carbon bits won't make any difference to already sky-high demand (although might upset some folks who wanted the exclusive first editions?)
Surely better to let the initial hype roll on for a few more months, get the press / road tests etc and when interest is flagging THEN you do some carbon fibre tweaks and nice rims to get yourselves back on the front page of the magazines/ web site?
Or am i missing something?
Looks wise, it is a bit challenging but all the better for it IMO. Isnt trying to please the style above substance brigade.
On a serious note, I suspect the whole thought behind the MK V Supra was to follow in the same vein as the GT86 where customers buy a "blank sheet" and will put their own twist on it, and I suspect the TRD parts is just an early start to this idea for the Supra.
Regards
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